Surgical Drape

ABSTRACT

A surgical drape may be configured for use with a patient positioning table for an anterior approach hip surgical procedure. In at least one illustrative embodiment the surgical drape may be specifically configured for use with an anterior approach hip total replacement surgery. The surgical drape is configured with an aperture that provides access to a patient&#39;s surgical site, which aperture may be generally rectangular-shaped in one illustrative embodiment. The aperture may be centered between a right and left edge of the surgical drape such that one configuration of the surgical drape may be used for an anterior approach hip surgical procedure of either a patient&#39;s left or right hip.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional utility patent application of continuation of andclaims the filing benefit of the pending non-provisional patentapplication U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/851,861 filed on Apr.17, 2020 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,905,514) which claimed the filing benefitof provisional U.S. Pat. App. No. 62/839,573 filed on Apr. 26, 2019, allof which said applications are incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a surgical drape, and morespecifically a surgical drape configured for use with an anteriorapproach hip surgical procedure.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosedand described in the patent application.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

AUTHORIZATION PURSUANT TO 37 C.F.R. § 1.171 (d)(c)

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain materialthat is subject to copyright and trademark protection. The copyrightowner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of thepatent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patentand Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyrights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND—ANTERIOR APPROACH HIP SURGICAL PROCEDURE

A total hip replacement is a type of surgical procedure also referred toas total hip arthroplasty. This procedure replaces the hip joint withartificial components. An orthopedic surgeon can do this procedure in alateral position (on the patient's side), which is the traditionalapproach or in a supine position (on the patient's back), which is theanterior approach. Total hip arthroplasty with the anterior approach isof particular relevance to this disclosure). This anterior approachsurgery may also be called mini, modified, minimally invasive, ormuscle-sparing surgery.

The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The thighbone (femur) bends inwardnear the hip. The upper end (femoral head) has a round shape. Thefemoral neck bends inward. The femoral shaft is the long straight bone.The head of the femur fits into a cup-shaped cavity. This cavity iscalled the acetabulum. A flexible and tough protective tissue calledcartilage covers the inside of the acetabulum and the femoral head.Tissue lining the joint produces fluid that with the cartilage helps thebones move easily against each other. The muscles and ligaments (strongfibrous tissues) hold the joint together.

An orthopedic surgeon can do hip replacement surgery to replace adamaged hip joint due to arthritis or degenerative joint disease. Thissurgery can ease pain and helps improve movement. During the surgery,the surgeon will replace the hip joint with artificial implants. Theartificial implants can be metal or ceramic, or a combination of these.It may have a lining made of plastic, metal, or ceramic. Using theanterior approach allows the surgeon to perform the surgery through asmaller surgical cut (incision). The incision is made in the front ofthe hip rather than in the side or back, which would be in traditionalhip replacements. Other advantages of an anterior approach procedureinclude: (1) less muscle trauma; (2) less pain; (3) earlier and easierrecovery; (4) decreased limping; (5) shorter hospital stay; (6)decreased chance of hip dislocations; (7) decreased operative time; (8)potential decreased blood loss due to smaller incision; and/or, (9)potential decrease in infection due to smaller incision

This surgery is performed under regional (spinal) anesthesia or generalanesthesia. To improve the surgical procedure outcome, it is importantto maintain a sterile surgical space (known as the sterile field)particularly around the equipment and the patient. The prior artsurgical drape has several undesirable features and disadvantages,including but not limited to the prior art surgical drapes beingincorrectly sized and shaped so that they are not long enough and cannotprovide adequate coverage that is needed to provide complete coverage ofthe patient during draping.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of the methods and systems.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a patient positioning table which canbe used with the surgical drape of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is another perspective view of a patient positioning table whichcan be used with the surgical drape of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 provides a side perspective view of an illustrative embodiment ofa surgical drape with a patient positioned under the surgical drape,wherein the patient may be positioned on a patient positioning tablesuch as that shown in FIGS. 1A & 1B.

FIG. 3A is a detailed front view of the illustrative embodiment of thesurgical drape shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B is a detailed front view of the illustrative embodiment of thesurgical drape of FIG. 3A, wherein various illustrative dimensions areshown.

FIG. 4 is a detailed front view of the surgical drape shown in FIGS. 2,3A, & 3B at the right armboard cover and associated pleat (which may beadjacent the patient's right arm during use), where a portion of theleft edge has been folded over to reveal a portion of the associatedpleat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—LISTING OF ELEMENTS

Element Description Element Number Patient  5 Medical personnel  6Patient positioning table  8 Table bar  8a Surgical drape 10 Head end 12Left edge 13 Bar end 14 Right edge 15 Aperture 16 Armboard cover 20Pleat 22

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Before the present methods and apparatuses are disclosed and described,it is to be understood that the methods and apparatuses are not limitedto specific methods, specific components, or to particularimplementations. It is also to be understood that the terminology usedherein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments/aspectsonly and is not intended to be limiting.

As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” oneparticular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When sucha range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the oneparticular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, whenvalues are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent“about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms anotherembodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each ofthe ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, andindependently of the other endpoint.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described eventor circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includesinstances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where itdoes not.

“Aspect” when referring to a method, apparatus, and/or component thereofdoes not mean that limitation, functionality, component etc. referred toas an aspect is required, but rather that it is one part of a particularillustrative disclosure and not limiting to the scope of the method,apparatus, and/or component thereof unless so indicated in the followingclaims.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word“comprise” and variations of the word, such as “comprising” and“comprises,” means “including but not limited to,” and is not intendedto exclude, for example, other components, integers or steps.“Exemplary” means “an example of” and is not intended to convey anindication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. “Such as” is not used ina restrictive sense, but for explanatory purposes.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosedmethods and apparatuses. These and other components are disclosedherein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets,interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that whilespecific reference of each various individual and collectivecombinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed,each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methodsand apparatuses. This applies to all aspects of this applicationincluding, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, ifthere are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it isunderstood that each of these additional steps can be performed with anyspecific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the disclosedmethods.

The present methods and apparatuses may be understood more readily byreference to the following detailed description of preferred aspects andthe examples included therein and to the Figures and their previous andfollowing description. Corresponding terms may be used interchangeablywhen referring to generalities of configuration and/or correspondingcomponents, aspects, features, functionality, methods and/or materialsof construction, etc. those terms.

It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangements ofcomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is tobe understood that phraseology and terminology used herein withreference to device or element orientation (such as, for example, termslike “front”, “back”, “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, and the like) areonly used to simplify description, and do not alone indicate or implythat the device or element referred to must have a particularorientation. In addition, terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third”are used herein and in the appended claims for purposes of descriptionand are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance orsignificance.

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out illustrative embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense butis made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles ofthe present disclosure, since the scope of the invention is best definedby the appending claims. Various inventive features are described belowherein that can each be used independently of one another or incombination with other features.

Disclosed herein are components that can be used with at least oneembodiment of a surgical drape 10. It is understood that whencombinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these componentsare disclosed, and that while specific reference of each variousindividual and collective combinations and permutation of these may notbe explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and describedherein, for all potential embodiments of the surgical drape 10. Thisapplies to all aspects of this application including, but not limitedto, components of a surgical drape 10 and methods for using same. Thus,if there are a variety of additional components that can be added it isunderstood that each of these additional components can be added withany specific embodiment or combination of embodiments of the surgicaldrape 10 and/or methods of using same. The surgical drape 10 and methodsof using same may be understood more readily by reference to thefollowing detailed description of preferred embodiments and the examplesincluded therein and to the Figures and their previous and followingdescription.

Illustrative Embodiment and Method of Use

The surgical drape 10 pictured and described herein may be effective atmaintaining a sterile space around the patient as it is correctly sizedfor an anterior approach hip surgical procedure (which surgicalprocedure includes but is not limited to a hip replacement unlessotherwise indicated in the following claims) and an aperture 16 properlypositioned within the periphery of the surgical drape 10 such that thepatient to be properly positioned for the procedure and medicalpersonnel may adequately access the patient. Although the BackgroundSection herein provides details related to one specific hip surgicalprocedure (i.e., hip replacement), the surgical drape 10 as disclosedherein is not limited to hip replacements and may be utilized for anyanterior approach hip surgical procedure without limitation unlessotherwise indicated in the following claims. The surgical drape 10disclosed herein may mitigate and/or eliminate at least one, acombination, or all of the disadvantages of the prior art surgicaldrapes. Accordingly, the surgical drape 10 disclosed herein may allowfor a sterile space, proper patience positioning for the procedure, andimproved access by medical personnel for monitoring the patient,providing medicine and/or anesthesia, and managing the patient's 5position during the procedure, without restriction and limitation unlessotherwise indicated in the following claims.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A & 1B, shown therein in perspective view is apatient positioning table 8. The specific patient positioning table 8shown in FIGS. 1A & 1B is a Hana® Table, which may be designed to enablea surgeon to perform hip replacement surgery using an anterior approach,wherein the patient 5 is laying supping (i.e., on their back) as shownin FIGS. 1A & 1B. One or more table bars 8 a may extend upward from themain platform of the patient positioning table 8, the table bar 8 a mayserve to elevate the surgical drape 10 such that medical personnel 6 mayaccess a portion of the patient 5 and/or patient positioning table 8during use of the surgical drape 10 as described in further detailbelow. Although the surgical drape 10 is shown and described herein withreference to a patient positioning table 8 configured as a Hana® Table,the scope of the surgical drape 10 and/or method of using same are notso limited unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

Referring now primarily to FIG. 2, therein is provided a perspectiveview of the illustrative embodiment of a surgical drape 10 positionedover a patient 5 positioned on the patient positioning table 8 of FIGS.1A & 1B. As shown herein, the surgical drape 10 may be configured suchthat it adequately separates the patient from an external environmentand/or provides a barrier for contaminants to and/or from the surgicalsite. Generally, the surgical drape 10 may be configured as asheet-like, flexible cover to be used with certain surgical proceduresso as to at least maintain sterility of the surgical site, preventegress of bodily fluids, and/or prevent ingress of contaminants. In thismanner, the surgical drape 10 may serve to create a barrier to a sterilefield on a first side of the surgical drape 10 (which in at least oneillustrative embodiment is the side facing away from the patient) andallow access to a patient and/or portion of a patient on an oppositeside of the surgical drape 10 (which in at least one illustrativeembodiment is the side facing toward the patient). In the illustrativeembodiments of the surgical drape 10 pictured herein, the surgical drape10 may have an area sufficient to cover the entirety of a patient's 5body (for a relatively high percentage of anthropometries for adults)during an anterior approach hip surgical procedure, even when thepatient's 5 arms and legs are fully extended outward from the patient's5 body (e.g., in a position the same as or similar to that shown inFIGS. 1A & 1B).

Front (i.e., exterior with respect to a patient 5) views of theillustrative embodiment of a surgical drape 10 are shown in FIGS. 3A &3B, wherein dimensions of various features of the surgical drape 10 areprovided in FIG. 3B. Generally, the surgical drape 10 may comprised ahead end 12 and a bar end 14 that are opposite one another as well as aleft edge 13 and a right edge 15 also opposite one another. The leftedge 13 and right edge 15 may be generally parallel with one another andgenerally perpendicular with respect to the head end 12 and bar end 14.

The illustrative embodiment of the surgical drape 10 may be formed withan armboard cover 20 on either edge 13, 15, thereof adjacent the headend 12. The armboard cover 20 may cooperate with a pleat 22 as shown bythe hidden lines in FIGS. 3A & 3B (which represent folded edges of thematerial comprising the pleat 22) to provide additional coverage for thesurgical drape 10 as needed. Other embodiments of a surgical drape 10may have differently configured armboard covers 20 and/or pleats 22(i.e., different dimensions, positions, etc.) without limitation unlessotherwise indicated in the following claims.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the length of the surgical drape 10 (i.e., thedistance from the head end 12 to the bar end 14) may be 160 inches. Inother illustrative embodiments the length of the surgical drape may be155, 154, 150, 148, 145, 144, 140, 136, 135, or 130 inches in length. Itis contemplated that such a length may allow an operator of the patientpositioning table 8, which operator may be manipulating the controls ofsame to properly position the patient and/or portion of the patient, toadequately access the controls for the patient positioning table 8without entering the sterile field for the surgical procedure. Duringone illustrative method of use, it is contemplated that the head end 12may be engaged with a pole or bar on either edge 13, 15 (which pole maybe configured as an IV pole or bar) to create a barrier for the sterilefield adjacent the patient's 5 head and/or torso even with the patient's5 arms fully extended outward from the patient's 5 torso (e.g., in aposition the same as or similar to that shown in FIGS. 1A & 1B), therebyproviding medical personnel 6 access to the patient's 5 arms as needed(e.g., for IV placement, manipulation, placement, or medicationdelivery, placement of patient 5 monitoring equipment and/or sensors,etc.) without the medical personnel 6 entering the sterile field. Thebar end 14 may be positioned over one or more table bars 8 a oppositethe head end 16 to create a barrier for the sterile field adjacent thepatient's 5 feet even with the patient's 5 legs fully extended (e.g., ina position the same as or similar to that shown in FIGS. 1A & 1B) suchthat medical personnel 6 may access the controls of the patientpositioning table 8 adjacent the bar end 14 without the medicalpersonnel 6 entering the sterile field. However, other methods of usingthe surgical drape 10 exist and the scope of the present disclosure isnot limited by the specific structures and/or methods used to engageeither the head end 12 or bar end 14 of the surgical drape 10 disclosedherein unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

The surgical drape 10 may include an aperture 16 positioned on aninterior portion thereof. Generally, the aperture 16 may be positionedbetween the edges 13, 15 of the surgical drape 10 such that the surgicaldrape 10 is generally symmetrical in at least one dimension, i.e., thedimension parallel to the left and right edges 13, 15. Further, theaperture 16 may be positioned closer to the head end 12 than the bar end14. As shown in FIG. 3B, the top edge of the aperture 16 may be locatedbetween 40 and 50 inches from the top edge of the head end 12 of thesurgical drape 10 (and in the illustrative embodiment is shown located49 inches from the edge of the head end 12 thereof). Such a symmetricalconfiguration of the aperture 16 with respect to the edges 13, 15 mayallow the surgical drape 10 to be used for either a right hip or lefthip of a patient 5 during an anterior approach hip surgery, such as ahip replacement without limitation unless otherwise indicated in thefollowing claims. However, the optimal position of the aperture 16 withrespect to the head end 12 and bar end 14 may vary depending on thespecific application of the surgical drape 10 and in other illustrativeembodiments is 60, 56, 55, 52, 50, 48, 45, 44, 40, 36, 35, or 30 inchesfrom the edge of the head end 12 and is therefore in no way limiting tothe scope of the surgical drape 10 unless otherwise indicated in thefollowing claims.

In the illustrative embodiment pictured herein, the aperture 16 may beconfigured to have a rectangular shape. In other illustrativeembodiments the shape of the aperture 16 may be square in shape, and instill other illustrative embodiments the shape may be curved, such ascircular, ellipse, oval, or ovoid (a combination of curved and straightsides) without limitation unless otherwise indicated in the followingclaims.

The optimal dimensions of the aperture 16 may vary from one applicationof the surgical drape 10 (and/or method of using same) to the next, andare therefore in no way limiting to the scope of the present disclosureunless otherwise indicated in the following claims. In the illustrativeembodiment pictured herein, the aperture 16 may configured as an18-inch-by-18-inch square, but the scope of the present disclosure isnot so limited unless otherwise indicated in the following claims. Inanother illustrative embodiment the aperture may be a 15-inch by 20-inchrectangle, and it is contemplated that the optimal shape and size of theaperture 16 may vary from one application of the surgical drape 10 tothe next. In still other embodiments the aperture 16 may be configuredas a circle having a diameter of 24, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, or 12 inches.Accordingly, the specific configuration of the aperture (e.g., theshape, dimensions, etc.) in no way limits the scope of the presentdisclosure unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

In one method of use, a barrier drape 7 and/or collection pouch may bepositioned around the aperture 16 to further mitigate and/or preventunwanted ingress of contaminants to the surgical site and/or egress ofother materials from the surgical site. In one illustrative embodimentthe barrier drape 7 may be configured as a 3M Ioban 2 AntimicrobialIncise Drape. However, any suitable barrier drape 7 may be used withoutlimitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims, and theoptimal barrier drape 7 may vary from one application of the surgicaldrape 10 to the next. Additionally, it is contemplated that for certainapplications a barrier drape 7 may not be required. Accordingly, thescope of the surgical drape 10 as disclosed herein is not limited by thepresence or absence of a barrier drape 7 unless otherwise indicated inthe following claims.

Referring now generally to FIGS. 3B & 4, the illustrative embodiment ofa surgical drape 10 may be configured an armboard cover 20 on both theleft and right edges 13, 15 adjacent the head end 12. The armboardcovers 20 may provide increased coverage over an area of an patientadjacent the patient's 5 head and/or torso, such that the patient's 5arms may be extended (e.g., in a position the same as or similar to thatshown in FIGS. 1A & 1B) during an anterior approach hip surgicalprocedure but simultaneously be sufficiently covered by the surgicaldrape 10 so as to maintain the appropriate level of sterility for thepatient 5. The increased width adjacent the armboard covers 20 providescontinuous sterility along the width of the surgical drape 10 even whenthe patient's 5 arms are extended (e.g., in a position the same as orsimilar to that shown in FIGS. 1A & 1B) such that medical personnel(e.g., an anesthesiologist, anesthetist, etc.) may access the patient's5 arms, intravenous equipment, patient 5 monitoring equipment and/orsensors, etc. without limitation unless otherwise indicated in thefollowing claims.

As shown, additional fabric comprised of a pleat 22 may be used toprovide additional coverage at either armboard cover 20. It iscontemplated that this pleat 22 may be folded flat as shown in FIGS. 3A& 3B, wherein the hidden lines represent the folded edges of thematerial comprising the pleat(s) 22, but may be expanded as necessaryduring use to extend a portion of the surgical drape 10 to the desiredposition. The pleat 22 is shown expanded in FIG. 4, wherein a portion ofthe left edge 13 has been folded over toward the right edge 15 such thatthe entire bottom edge of the associated armboard cover 20 is shown, andthe top surface of the pleat 22 that is visible in FIGS. 3A & 3B is nowhidden. Generally, the optimal configuration of the pleat 22 and/orposition thereof for a specific application may vary without limitationunless otherwise indicated in the following claims. For at least oneapplication, namely an anterior approach hip replacement surgery, it iscontemplated that the dimensions shown in FIG. 3B may be especiallyadvantageous.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, which provides various dimensions for anillustrative embodiment of a surgical drape 10, the length thereof(i.e., the dimension from the edge at the head end 12 to the edge at thebar end 14) may be 160 inches. The width at the bar end 14 (i.e., thedimension from the left edge 13 to the right edge 15 at the bar end 14)may be 114 inches. In other illustrative embodiments the width at thebar end may be 112, 106, 100, 96, 94, 90, 84, 80, or 78 inches. Thewidth at the head end 12 with the armboard covers 20 extended may be 138inches, such that each armboard cover 20 may account for 12 inches ofoverall width. In other illustrative embodiments each armboard cover 20may account for 10, 8, or 6 inches of overall width. The armboard covers20 may extend from the terminal edge at the head end 12 toward the barend 14 a distance of from 24 to 72 inches, and more preferably by adistance of 60 inches as shown in FIG. 3B. In other illustrativeembodiments the armboard covers 20 may extend from the terminal edge atthe head end 12 a distance of 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 66, or 78 inches. Theoptimal configuration (e.g., dimensions, shape, etc.) of the armboardcovers 20 may vary from one application of the surgical drape 10 to thenext and is therefore in no way limiting to the scope of the presentdisclosure unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.

The pleat 22 may be configured such that the dimension of the pleat 22parallel to the left and right edges 13, 15 may be 18 inches and thedimension of the pleat 22 parallel to the edge on the head end 12 andbar end 14 may be 22 inches. Additionally, the pleat 22 may beconfigured such that a fold therein (shown at least in FIGS. 3A, 3B, &4) includes a vertex. So configured, the area of the fabric comprisingthe pleat 22 may measure approximately 200 square inches. However, inother illustrative embodiments of the surgical drape 10 the pleats 22may be differently configured, having either a different height orwidth, which may result in an area of fabric greater than 200 squareinches or less than 200 square inches without limitation unlessotherwise indicated in the following claims. It is contemplated that theoptimal configuration, dimensions, area, etc. of the pleats 22 may varyfrom one application of the surgical drape 10 to the next, and that formany applications a height (i.e., the dimension parallel to the rightand left edges 13, 15) may be between 4 inches and 30 inches and a widthbetween 6 inches and 30 inches (and, consequently, an area of fabriccomprising the pleat 22 of between 20 square inches and 320 squareinches) may especially advantageous, again without limitation unlessotherwise indicated in the following claims. In other illustrativeembodiments the area of material comprising the pleat 20 may be 24, 30,36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72, 78, 84, 90, 96, 102, 108, 114, 120, 126, 12,138, 144, 150, 156, 162, 168, 174, 180, 186, 192, 198, 204, 210, 216,222, 228, 234, 240, 246, 252, 258, 264, 270, 276, 282, 288, 294, 300,306, 312, or 318 square inches. Generally, the armboard covers 20 andpleats 22 may be configured such that during an anterior approach hipsurgical procedure, both the patient's 5 arms may be extended outward 90degrees from the patient's 5 body (e.g., in a position the same as orsimilar to that shown in FIGS. 1A & 1B) and medical personnel (e.g., ananesthetist, anesthesiologist, etc.) may access the patient's 5 armssimultaneously without entering and/or compromising the sterile field.

Generally, the various portions of the surgical drape 10 may beseparately formed and then engaged with one another (via any suitablemethod and/or apparatus, including but not limited to sewing, chemicaladhesives, etc. unless otherwise indicated in the following claims) orformed integrally with one another. Accordingly, the scope of thepresent disclosure is not limited by whether one or both armboard covers20, pleats 22, etc. are integrally formed with the main portion of thesurgical drape 10 or if one or both armboard covers 20, pleats 22, etc.are separately formed therefrom and later engaged with the main portionof the surgical drape 10 unless otherwise indicated in the followingclaims.

Although the surgical drape 10 and method for using same are describedherein with reference to a patient positioning table 8 configured as aHana® Table, the scope of the surgical drape 10 and/or method of usingsame is not so limited unless otherwise indicated in the followingclaims. Additionally, although the surgical drape 10 and method forusing same are described herein with reference to an anterior approachhip surgical procedure, and with special emphasis on an anteriorapproach total hip replacement procedure, the surgical drape 10 may beused for any procedure for which the surgical drape 10 is suited withoutlimitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure extends to anybeneficial and/or advantageous feature of the surgical drape 10 and/oruse thereof without limitation unless so indicated in the followingclaims.

The materials used to construct the various apparatuses disclosed hereinmay vary depending on the specific application thereof, but it iscontemplated that for many applications it may be advantageous toconstruct the surgical drape 10 of a material that is impervious toblood and/or other body fluids, which material may be comprised ofpolymers, synthetic materials, metals, metal alloys, natural materials,and/or combinations thereof without limitation unless otherwiseindicated in the following claims. Additionally, for certainapplications it may be advantageous for the surgical drape 10 to becomprised of a fabric or textile that is either woven or non-woven,depending at least upon the specific material selected and withoutlimitation unless otherwise indicated in the following claims.Accordingly, the above-referenced elements may be constructed of anymaterial known to those skilled in the art or later developed, whichmaterial is appropriate for the specific application of the presentdisclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure unless so indicated in the following claims.

Having described preferred aspects of the various processes andapparatuses, other features of the present disclosure will undoubtedlyoccur to those versed in the art, as will numerous modifications andalterations in the embodiments and/or aspects as illustrated herein, allof which may be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure. Accordingly, the methods and embodimentspictured and described herein are for illustrative purposes only, andthe scope of the present disclosure extends to all processes,apparatuses, and/or structures for providing the various benefits and/orfeatures of the present disclosure unless so indicated in the followingclaims.

While the apparatuses and methods of the present disclosure have beendescribed in connection with preferred aspects and specific examples, itis not intended that the scope be limited to the particular embodimentsand/or aspects set forth, as the embodiments and/or aspects herein areintended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive.Accordingly, the apparatuses, processes, and illustrative embodimentspictured and described herein are no way limiting to the scope of thepresent disclosure unless so stated in the following claims.

Although several figures are drawn to accurate scale, any dimensionsprovided herein are for illustrative purposes only and in no way limitthe scope of the present disclosure unless so indicated in the followingclaims. It should be noted that the apparatuses and methods are notlimited to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein, butrather the scope of the inventive features according to the presentdisclosure is defined by the claims herein. Modifications andalterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilledin the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure.

Any of the various features, components, functionalities, advantages,aspects, configurations, process steps, process parameters, etc. of theapparatuses and methods disclosed herein may be used alone or incombination with one another depending on the compatibility of thefeatures, components, functionalities, advantages, aspects,configurations, process steps, process parameters, etc. Accordingly, anearly infinite number of variations of the present disclosure exist.Modifications and/or substitutions of one feature, component,functionality, aspect, configuration, process step, process parameter,etc. for another in no way limit the scope of the present disclosureunless so indicated in the following claims.

It is understood that the present disclosure extends to all alternativecombinations of one or more of the individual features mentioned,evident from the text and/or drawings, and/or inherently disclosed. Allof these different combinations constitute various alternative aspectsof the present disclosure and/or components thereof. The embodimentsdescribed herein explain the best modes known for practicing theapparatuses, methods, and/or components disclosed herein and will enableothers skilled in the art to utilize the same. The claims are to beconstrued to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted bythe prior art.

Unless otherwise expressly stated in the claims, it is in no wayintended that any process or method set forth herein be construed asrequiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly,where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed byits steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims ordescriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it isno way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holdsfor any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including but notlimited to: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps oroperational flow; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization orpunctuation; the number or type of embodiments described in thespecification.

What is claimed:
 1. A surgical drape comprising: a. a head end, whereinsaid head end is positioned adjacent a patient's head during use; b. abar end, wherein said bar end is positioned adjacent a patient's feetduring us; c. a length between 140 and 180 inches, wherein said lengthis defined as extending from a terminal edge of said head end to aterminal edge of said bar end; d. a left edge generally perpendicular toboth said terminal edge of said bar end and said terminal edge of saidhead end; e. a right edge generally perpendicular to both said terminaledge of said bar end and said terminal edge of said head end, whereinsaid right edge and said left edge are generally parallel with respectto one another; f. a width between 102 and 126 inches, wherein saidwidth is defined as extending from a terminal edge of said left edge toa terminal edge of said right edge; g. an aperture positioned betweensaid head end and said bar end and between said left edge and said rightedge, wherein said aperture is centered between said left edge and saidright edge, and wherein said aperture extends through said surgicaldrape; h. a first armboard cover positioned adjacent said head end andsaid right edge, wherein said armboard cover extends outward from saidright edge by a distance of between 8 and 20 inches; and, i. a secondarmboard cover positioned adjacent said head end and said left edge,wherein said armboard cover extends outward from said left edge by adistance of between 8 and 20 inches.
 2. The surgical drape according toclaim 1 wherein said aperture is further defined as being rectangular inshape.
 3. The surgical drape according to claim 2 wherein said apertureis further defined as having an area of between 64 and 324 squareinches.
 4. The surgical drape according to claim 1 wherein said apertureis further defined as being rectangular in shape.
 5. The surgical drapeaccording to claim 1 wherein said surgical drape further comprises abarrier drape positioned adjacent said aperture.
 6. The surgical drapeaccording to claim 1 wherein said first armboard cover and said secondarmboard cover are integrally formed with said left edge and said rightedge, respectively.
 7. The surgical drape according to claim 1 furthercomprising a first pleat formed adjacent said first armboard cover and asecond pleat formed adjacent said second armboard cover.
 8. The surgicaldrape according to claim 7 wherein an area of a material comprising saidfirst pleat is between 48 and 300 square inches.
 9. The surgical drapeaccording to claim 8 wherein said first and second pleats are furtherdefined as being symmetrical about a length of said surgical drape fromsaid head end to said bar end.
 10. A method of creating a sterile field,said method comprising: a. positioning a patient on a patientpositioning table such that an anterior portion of said patient isfacing upward; b. extending a first arm of said patient away from atorso of said patient; c. extending a second arm of said patient awayfrom said torso of said patient; d. extending a first leg of saidpatient; e. extending a second leg of said patient; f. covering aportion of said patient with a surgical drape, wherein said portionincludes the entirety of said patient except for an a second portionthat is exposed via an aperture formed in said surgical drape, saidsurgical drape comprising: i. a head end, wherein said head end ispositioned adjacent a head of said patient; ii. a bar end, wherein saidbar end is positioned adjacent a foot of said patient; iii. a lengthbetween 140 and 180 inches, wherein said length is defined as extendingfrom a terminal edge of said head end to a terminal edge of said barend; iv. a left edge generally perpendicular to both said terminal edgeof said bar end and said terminal edge of said head end; v. a right edgegenerally perpendicular to both said terminal edge of said bar end andsaid terminal edge of said head end, wherein said right edge and saidleft edge are generally parallel with respect to one another; vi. awidth between 102 and 126 inches, wherein said width is defined asextending from a terminal edge of said left edge to a terminal edge ofsaid right edge; vii. said aperture positioned between said head end andsaid bar end and between said left edge and said right edge, whereinsaid aperture is centered between said left edge and said right edge,and wherein said aperture extends through said surgical drape; viii. afirst armboard cover positioned adjacent said head end and said rightedge, wherein said armboard cover extends outward from said right edgeby a distance of between 8 and 20 inches; and, ix. a second armboardcover positioned adjacent said head end and said left edge, wherein saidarmboard cover extends outward from said left edge by a distance ofbetween 8 and 20 inches; and, g. positioning said aperture over saidsecond portion of said patient.
 11. The method according to claim 10further comprising the step of allowing a medical personnel to accesssaid right arm of said patient without said medical personnel enteringsaid sterile field.
 12. The method according to claim 10 furthercomprising the step of allowing a medical personnel to access said leftarm of said patient without said medical personnel entering said sterilefield.
 13. The method according to claim 10 further comprising the stepof allowing a medical personnel to access a control of said patientpositioning table adjacent said bar end of said surgical drape withoutsaid medical personnel entering said sterile field.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 10 wherein said surgical drape further comprises abarrier drape engaged with said surgical drape adjacent said aperture.15. The method according to claim 10 wherein said aperture is furtherdefined as being rectangular in shape.
 16. The method according to claim15 wherein said aperture is further defined as having an area of between64 and 324 square inches.
 17. The method according to claim 10 whereinsaid aperture is further defined as being rectangular in shape.
 18. Themethod according to claim 10 wherein said surgical drape furthercomprises a first pleat formed adjacent said first armboard cover and asecond pleat formed adjacent said second armboard cover.
 19. The methodaccording to claim 18 wherein an area of a material comprising saidfirst pleat is between 48 and 300 square inches.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 19 wherein said first and second pleats are furtherdefined as being symmetrical about a length of said surgical drape fromsaid head end to said bar end.